Bill > HR5341

This bill, known as the "Livestock Owned by Communities to Advance Local Foods Act of 2025" or the "LOCAL Foods Act of 2025," amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to modify existing exemptions for livestock owners. Specifically, the bill expands the current provision that allows individuals to slaughter animals they have raised and prepare meat products for personal use. The new language broadens the exemption to include situations where an owner can be a partial owner of the animals and can designate an agent to assist with slaughter, preparation, or transportation of meat products, provided that the owner maintains custody and specific identification of the carcasses or meat products. This change aims to provide more flexibility for small-scale livestock owners and local food producers by relaxing some of the strict inspection requirements of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, while still maintaining some oversight to ensure food safety. The modification could potentially help small farmers, community-owned livestock operations, and local food systems by reducing regulatory barriers to processing and using their own livestock.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5341/all-info